Where to stay in Barcelona 2020?

Quick guide to best area to stay with maps and tips

First time tourists stay 1) near Plaça de Catalunya 2) in Eixample area, 3) In medieval gothic area 4) in Sant Marti area near beaches. Read more by scrolling down.

Updated November 2019

Barcelona has hills and beaches, medieval and modern neighbourhoods, so there's something for everyone. If you are a family find best area for family with children

Barcelona has hills and beaches, medieval and modern neighbourhoods, so there's something for everyone.

Find the best area to stay for your visit. If you are a family find best area for family with children

The 4 central Barcelona areas which are most popular and considered the best place to stay in Barcelona for first time tourists on a first visit.

First time visitors and tourists choose to stay in 4 central Barcelona city areas.

Here is a short overview - scroll further down the page to see a complete and detailed description of each area.

1) Plaça de Catalunya

Central city squareLocated between 19th century area and the medieval parts of city. Best place to stay for central access to everything.Hotels near Plaça de Catalunya

2) Eixample district

Central area 19th century modernist architecture. Best place for shopping and comfortHotels Eixample area

3) Ciutat Vella district

Medieval city areaNarrow streets and old architecture. Best place to stay for history and charmHotels Gothic area

4) Sant Marti district

Former industrial areaNow office and residential area near beachesModern architecture. Best place to stay for sea and beaches.Hotels near beach

Our choices

Our first choice is area around the central downtown square called Plaça de Catalunya which we think is the best place to stay in Barcelona for short visits to the city. This is our first choice because it is most central and best connected to many top sights. Plaça de Catalunya is walking distance to the medieval city center and to the newer 19th century modernist area.

Our secondchoice is the district called Eixample (pronounced Esh-sharm-pluh) This is the modernist area of Barcelona developed from late 19th century.

Our thirdchoice is to stay inside the medieval city district Ciutat Vella (pronounced (See-oo-tat Vey-ya) which is rich in charm and history.

Our fourthchoice, which is mostly for summer visits, is the neighbourhoods of district Sant Marti because it's close to Barcelona's beaches.

Barcelona's top 10 attractions are spread around the city as you can see from the map below.

The most central place for all top sights is near Plaça de Catalunya central square, but the city is small and well connected by metro and tram.